Method of reducing silicosis caused by inhalation of silica-containing proppant, such as silica sand and resin-coated silica sand, and apparatus therefor

ABSTRACT

A method of reducing silicosis caused by inhalation of silica-containing proppant, such as silica sand and resin-coated silica sand, and apparatus therefor. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

CONTINUING APPLICATION DATA

The present application is a Continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/584,071, filed on May 2, 2017, which is a Continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/209,478, filed Mar. 13, 2014, whichis a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/606,913, filed on Sep. 7, 2012, which is a Continuation-In-Part ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/416,256, filed on Mar. 9, 2012,which claims the benefit of: expired U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 61/601,875, filed Feb. 22, 2012, expired U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/590,233, filed Jan. 24, 2012, and expired U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/451,435, filed Mar. 10, 2011. U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/209,478 also is a Continuation-In-Part ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/416,256 and claims the benefit ofU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/786,274, filed Mar. 14, 2013.

BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field

The present application relates to a method of reducing silicosis causedby inhalation of silica-containing proppant, such as silica sand andresin-coated silica sand, and apparatus therefor.

2. Background Information

Hydraulic fracturing is the propagation of fractures in a rock layer,which process is used by oil and gas companies in order to releasepetroleum, natural gas, coal seam gas, or other substances forextraction. The hydraulic fracturing technique is known in the oil andgas industry as “fracking” or “hydrofracking.” In hydraulic fracturing,a proppant is used to keep the fractures open, which proppant is often asilica-containing material, such as silica sand and resin-coated silicasand. Many tons of proppant are used at a fracking site, therebyexposing workers to inhalation of silica dust, which can lead to a lungdisease known as silicosis, or Potter's rot. Silicosis is a form ofoccupational lung disease caused by inhalation of crystalline silicadust, and is marked by inflammation and scarring in forms of nodularlesions in the upper lobes of the lungs. It is a type of pneumoconiosis,or lung disease caused by the inhalation of dust, usually from workingin a mining operation.

When preparing proppant for use in hydraulic fracturing, large amountsof dust, such as silica dust and other proppant dust, are created by themovement of proppants. This dust can produce potential detrimentaleffects, such as contaminating atmospheric air, creating a nuisance toadjacent landowners, and damaging equipment on the hydraulic fracturingsite. A significant concern, as discussed above, is the inhalation ofsilica dust or other proppant dust, which can lead to lung conditionssuch as silicosis and other specific forms of pneumoconiosis.

Hydraulic fracturing jobs use a large amount of proppant, often as muchas 15,000 tons. This large quantity of proppant is brought in bypneumatic tankers and then blown into proppant storage trailers known as“mountain movers,” “sand hogs” or “sand kings.” Some well-known storagedevices of this type have been developed by Halliburton (headquarteredin Houston, Tex. and Dubai, UAE), such as the Model FSR-2500 MountainMover®. This particular model is capable of storing 2,500 cubic feet ofproppant in five individual compartments consisting of two 560 cubicfeet compartments and three 460 cubic feet compartments. The FSR-2500has a length of 48 feet, width of 8.5 feet, height of 13.5 feet, and atotal weight of 51,400 pounds. Other storage devices of this type arethe Sand King 3000 and the Sand King 4000 developed by Convey-AllIndustries, 130 Canada Street, Winkler, Manitoba, Canada R6W 4B7. TheModel FSR-2500 Mountain Mover®, Sand King 3000, and the Sand King 4000,and the technical data relating thereto, are hereby incorporated byreference as if set forth in their entirety herein, except for theexceptions indicated herein. The dimensions and weight of such storagetrailers may require a permit for transport, depending on the states,territories, or countries in which the storage trailers are to betransported. For example, U.S. federal rules require that gross vehicleweight be no more than 80,000 pounds, and that the overall vehiclelength be no longer than 65 feet, or 75 feet, depending on the type ofconnection between the tractor and the trailer. Such storage trailersare generally designed such that the gross vehicle weight and overallvehicle length during transport is less than the federal limit. Themotor vehicle codes relating to trucks and/or trailers of the variousstates, provinces, and/or territories in which such motor vehicle codesare utilized, are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth intheir entirety herein, except for the exceptions indicated herein.

Other types of proppant storage devices can be used as an alternative toproppant storage trailers. Such storage devices could be pre-filled withproppant, either by dumping proppant into the storage devices or bypneumatically conducting proppant into the storage devices, and thendelivered to a hydraulic fracturing work site. Such storage devicescould be in the form of stationary containers, hoppers, or bins, andcould be placed directly over a conveyor or belt conveyor which conveysproppant to a proppant mixer or blender. The storage devices havedispensing openings or ports which can be opened to release the proppantonto the conveyor.

The storage trailers discussed above generally have access doors on topwhich vent the incoming air to the atmosphere. The flow of air createslarge dust clouds, such as silica dust clouds, which blow out of theaccess doors, which can be especially problematic for workers who arelooking into the interior of the storage trailers to monitor theproppant fill level. The proppant is then gravity fed onto a conveyorbelt that carries the proppant to another conveyor, usually a T-beltwhich runs transverse to and collects the proppant from multiple storagetrailers. The gravity feed of the proppant once again disturbs theproppant resulting in additional dust clouds. The T-belt then carriesthe proppant to be discharged into the hopper of one or more blenders,at which point the proppant is again disturbed and additional dustclouds are created. In addition, the stationary storage devicesdiscussed above, which are an alternative to the storage trailer, alsogenerate dust during operation. Dust can be generated by the gravityfeed of proppant onto the conveyor belt. The proppant dispensed from thestorage devices also must be dumped into the blender, so dust isgenerated there as well. In other words, whether a storage trailer isused or an alternative storage device is used to supply proppant to theT-belt or similar conveyor, proppant will always eventually be dumpedinto a blender hopper and will generate substantial dust during the dropoff and during blending or mixing.

In summary, dust can be generated or ejected at various points at ahydraulic fracturing site, including, but not limited to, thefollowing: 1) the access ports or doors (also known as “thief hatches”)on top of the proppant storage trailers during filling of the proppantstorage trailers; 2) open filling ports in the proppant storage trailersduring filling of the proppant storage trailers; 3) surrounding groundor roads; 4) transfer belts under the proppant storage trailers; 5) thetransfer belt device (also known as a dragon's tail) at the end of theproppant storage trailer; 6) transfer belts (also known as T-belts)between the proppant storage trailer or proppant storage device and theblender; and 7) the blender which mixes proppant with liquids andchemicals. To further explain, proppant storage trailers are filledunder pressure by pneumatically blowing the proppant into the proppantstorage trailer. Because of the pressure generated inside the proppantstorage trailer, dust is ejected or propelled out of the ports orhatches located on top of the sand storage trailer, and also out of anyopen filling ports. Proppant storage trailers generally have two or morefilling ports, each of which can be utilized simultaneously to fill aproppant storage trailer. However, if one or more of the filling portsis not in use during filling, the unused filling port(s) can essentiallyact as a vent, much like the top ports or hatches, and thus dust can beejected out through the unused filling port(s). During a hydraulicfracturing process, also known as a stage, the proppant is transportedfrom the proppant storage trailer to the blender. To do so, proppant isfirst dropped out through openings or valves or ports underneath theproppant storage trailer and then onto a conveyor or belt locatedunderneath the proppant storage trailer. The act of dropping theproppant onto the belt generates dust. The proppant is then conveyed tothe end of the proppant storage trailer, at which point the belt isinclined at an angle on a structure which extends from the end of theproppant storage trailer, which structure is known as a dragon's tail.The dragon's tail elevates the proppant to a position above anothertransport belt known as a T-belt, since the transport belt in most casesruns substantially perpendicular to the belt of the proppant storagetrailer. The proppant is then dropped off of the dragon's tail and ontothe T-belt. Dust is generated at the drop-off point, off of thereturning conveyor belt, and at the point of impact of the proppant onthe T-belt. Alternative proppant storage devices located above theT-belt also drop the proppant onto the T-belt, which can generate dust.The T-belt then conveys the proppant on a first portion thereof which issubstantially parallel to the ground, and then on a second portion whichis inclined at an angle. At the second portion, the T-belt elevates theproppant to a position above the hopper(s) of the blender. The proppantis then dropped off of the elevated T-belt and into the blenderhopper(s). Dust is generated at the drop-off point, off of the returningT-belt, at the point of impact of the proppant in the blender hopper(s),and in the blender hopper(s) as the proppant is agitated during mixing.The preceding design and operation of the T-belt and blender is used inconjunction with either a proppant storage trailer or the alternativeproppant storage device. Finally, dust which was previously generated,but has since settled on the ground and/or roadways surrounding the worksite, can again become propelled into the air by vehicles driving overor on the settled dust. The generation of dust at all of these points orareas can be substantial, and the total effect can be a rathersubstantial or massive dust cloud covering both the work site andsurrounding areas. To solve this problem, dust could be collected at thevarious proppant handling points, which would also in turn minimize theamount of dust on the ground for vehicles to stir up.

During this entire process, workers are often standing near or directlyin the path of a cloud or airborne flow of silica dust or proppant dust.When small silica dust particles are inhaled, they can embed themselvesdeeply into the tiny alveolar sacs and ducts in the lungs, where oxygenand carbon dioxide gases are exchanged. The lungs cannot clear out theembedded dust by mucous or coughing. Substantial and/or concentratedexposure to silica dust can therefore lead to silicosis.

Some of the signs and/or symptoms of silicosis include: dyspnea(shortness of breath), persistent and sometimes severe cough, fatigue,tachypnea (rapid breathing), loss of appetite and weight loss, chestpain, fever, and gradual dark shallow rifts in nails which caneventually lead to cracks as protein fibers within nail beds aredestroyed. Some symptoms of more advanced cases of silicosis couldinclude cyanosis (blue skin), cor pulmonale (right ventricle heartdisease), and respiratory insufficiency.

Aside from these troublesome conditions, persons with silicosis areparticularly susceptible to a tuberculosis infection known assilicotuberculosis. Pulmonary complications of silicosis also includechronic bronchitis and airflow limitation (similar to that caused bysmoking), non-tuberculous Mycobacterium infection, fungal lunginfection, compensatory emphysema, and pneumothorax. There is even somedata revealing a possible association between silicosis and certainautoimmune diseases, including nephritis, scleroderma, and systemiclupus erythematosus. In 1996, the International Agency for Research onCancer (IARC) reviewed the medical data and classified crystallinesilica as “carcinogenic to humans.”

In all hydraulic fracturing jobs, a wellbore is first drilled into rockformations. A hydraulic fracture is then formed by pumping a fracturingfluid into the wellbore at a rate sufficient to increase pressuredownhole to exceed that of the fracture gradient of the rock to befractured. The rock cracks and the fracture fluid continues farther intothe rock, thereby extending the crack or fracture. To keep this fractureopen after the fluid injection stops, the solid proppant is added to thefluid. The fracturing fluid is about 95-99% water, with the remainingportion made up of the proppant and chemicals, such as hydrochloricacid, methanol propargyl, polyacrylamide, glutaraldehyde, ethanol,ethylene glycol, alcohol and sodium hydroxide. The propped fracture ispermeable enough to allow the flow of formation fluids to the well,which fluids may include gas, oil, salt water, fresh water and fluidsintroduced during completion of the well during fracturing. The proppantis often a silica-containing material, such as sand, but can be made ofdifferent materials, such as ceramic or other particulates. Thesematerials are selected based on the particle size and strength mostsuitable to handle the pressures and stresses which may occur in thefracture. Some types of commercial proppants are available fromSaint-Gobain Proppants, 5300 Gerber Road, Fort Smith, Ariz. 72904, USA,as well as from Santrol Proppants, 50 Sugar Creek Center Boulevard,Sugar Land, Tex. 77478, USA.

The most commonly used proppant is silica sand or silicon dioxide (SiO₂)sand, known colloquially in the industry as “frac sand.” The frac sandis not just ordinary sand, but rather is chosen based on certaincharacteristics according to standards developed by the InternationalOrganization for Standardization (ISO) or by the American PetroleumInstitute (API). The current ISO standard is ISO 13503-2:2006, entitled“Petroleum and natural gas industries—Completion fluids andmaterials—Part 2: Measurement of properties of proppants used inhydraulic fracturing and gravel-packing operations,” while the APIstandards are API RP-56 and API RP-19C. In general, these standardsrequire that the natural sands must be from high silica (quartz)sandstones or unconsolidated deposits. Other essential requirements arethat particles are well rounded, relatively clean of other minerals andimpurities and will facilitate the production of fine, medium and coarsegrain sands. Frac sand is preferably >99% quartz or silica, and highpurity quartz sand deposits are relatively common in the U.S. However,the tight specifications for frac sands—especially in relation toroundness and sphericity—make many natural sand deposits unsuitable forfrac sand production. One primary source of such high quality sand isthe St. Peter sandstone formation, which spans north-south fromMinnesota to Missouri and east-west from Illinois into Nebraska andSouth Dakota. Sand from this formation is commercially known as Ottawasand. This sand generally is made of a very high percentage of silica,and some samples, such as found in Missouri, consist of quartz sand thatis 99.44% silica.

One characteristic used to determine suitability of a proppant material,such as silica sand, is grain size, which can be measured using standardlength measurements or by mesh size. Mesh size is determined by thepercentage of particles that are retained by a series of mesh sieveshaving certain-sized openings. In a mesh size number, the small numberis the smallest particle size while the larger number is the largestparticle size in that category. The smaller the number, the coarser thegrain. The vast majority of grains range from 12 to 140 mesh and includestandard sizes such as 12/20, 16/30, 20/40, 30/50, and 40/70, whereby90% of the product falls between the designated sieve sizes. Somespecific examples are 8/12, 10/20, 20/40, and 70/140. Grain size canalso be measured in millimeters or micrometers, with some examples beinggrain size ranges of 2.38−1.68 mm, 2.00−0.84 mm, 0.84−0.42 mm, and210−105 micrometers.

Another important characteristic of a proppant material, such as silicasand, for hydraulic fracturing is the sphericity and roundness of thegrains, that is, how closely the grains conform to a spherical shape andits relative roundness. The grains are assessed by measuring the averageradius of the corners over the radius of a maximum inscribed circle.Krumbein and Sloss devised a chart for the visual estimation ofsphericity and roundness in 1955, as shown in FIG. 4. The API, forexample, recommends sphericity and roundness of 0.6 or larger based onthis scale.

An additional characteristic of a proppant material, such as silicasand, is crush resistance, which, as the phrase implies, is the abilityof the proppant to resist being crushed by the substantial forcesexerted on the proppant after insertion into a fracture. The APIrequires that silica sand withstand compressive stresses of 4,000 to6,000 psi before it breaks apart or ruptures. The tested size range issubjected to 4,000 psi for two minutes in a uniaxial compressioncylinder. In addition, API specifies that the fines generated by thetest should be limited to a maximum of 14% by weight for 20-40 mesh and16-30 mesh sizes. Maximum fines for the 30-50 mesh size is 10%. Othersize fractions have a range of losses from 6% for the 70-40 mesh to 20%for the 6-12 mesh size. According to the anti-crushing strength measuredin megapascals (MPa), types of frac sand can possibly be divided, forexample, into 52 Mpa, 69 Mpa, 86 Mpa and 103 Mpa three series.

Yet another characteristic of a proppant material, such as silica sand,is solubility. The solubility test measures the loss in weight of a 5 gsample that has been added to a 100 ml solution that is 12 partshydrochloric acid (HCl) and three parts hydrofluoric acid (HF), andheated at 150° F. (approx. 65.5° C.) in a water bath for 30 minutes. Thetest is designed to determine the amount of non-quartz minerals present.However, a high silica sandstone or sand deposit and its subsequentprocessing generally removes most soluble materials (e.g. carbonates,iron coatings, feldspar and mineral cements). The API requires (inweight percent) losses of <2% for the 6-12 mesh size through to the30-50 mesh size and 3% for the 40-70 mesh through to 70-140 mesh sizes.

OBJECT OR OBJECTS

An object of the present application is to prepare proppant, such assilica sand, resin-coated silica sand, and ceramic proppant materials,for use in hydraulic fracturing while minimizing dust production inorder to reduce exposure of workers to silica dust and proppant dust,and thereby minimize the chances of the workers developing silicosis orother types of pneumoconiosis.

SUMMARY

As discussed above, in a hydraulic fracturing operation, largequantities (as much as 15,000 tons or more) of proppant, such as silicasand, resin-coated silica sand, and ceramic proppant materials, areused. One of the drawbacks of using proppant materials, especiallysilica sand, is that dust clouds, such as silica dust clouds, are formedduring the handling of the proppant material. The dust clouds can becontrolled by using a control arrangement. According to one possibleembodiment of the application, the control arrangement is separate frombut connectable to the proppant storage device. According to anotherpossible embodiment of the application, at least a portion of thecontrol arrangement is integrated into the body of the proppant storagedevice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a microscopic view of silica dust particles;

FIG. 2 shows proppant grains;

FIG. 3 shows proppant grains;

FIG. 4 shows the Krumbein and Sloss chart;

FIG. 5 shows a human lung affected by silicosis;

FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional end view of a portion of the body of aproppant storage device according to at least one embodiment of theapplication;

FIG. 7 shows a top view of a portion of the body of the proppant storagedevice according to FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of a portion of the body of aproppant storage device according to at least one embodiment of theapplication;

FIG. 9 shows a top view of a portion of the body of the proppant storagedevice according to FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 shows a cross-sectional end view of a portion of the body of theproppant storage device according to FIG. 6 with additional features;

FIG. 11 shows a top view of a portion of the body of the proppantstorage device according to FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 shows a cross-sectional view of a portion of the proppantstorage device according to FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 shows another cross-sectional view of the portion of theproppant storage device according to FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 shows a side view of the body of a proppant storage deviceaccording to at least one embodiment of the application;

FIG. 15 shows a side view of a portion of the body of the proppantstorage device according to FIG. 14 with additional features;

FIG. 16 shows a side view of the body of the proppant storage deviceaccording to FIG. 14 connected to additional proppant storage devices;

FIG. 17 shows a side view of a portion of a collection device accordingto at least one embodiment of the application;

FIG. 18 shows a rear view of the collection device according to FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 shows a side view of a portion of a collection device accordingto at least one embodiment of the application;

FIG. 20 shows a rear view of the collection device according to FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 shows a top view of an installed collection system according toat least one embodiment of the application;

FIG. 21A shows a view of an installed collection system according to atleast one embodiment of the application;

FIG. 22 shows a door arrangement of FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 shows a manifold arrangement of FIG. 21;

FIG. 24 shows a connector arrangement of FIG. 21;

FIG. 25 shows a support arrangement of FIG. 21;

FIG. 26 shows a tube arrangement of FIG. 21;

FIG. 27 shows a manifold arrangement of FIG. 21;

FIG. 28 shows a manifold arrangement of FIG. 21;

FIG. 29 shows a back view of a riser arrangement of FIG. 21;

FIG. 30 shows a front view of a riser arrangement of FIG. 21;

FIG. 31 shows a belt manifold arrangement of FIG. 21;

FIG. 32 shows a front view of a riser arrangement of FIG. 21;

FIG. 33 shows a back view of a riser arrangement of FIG. 21;

FIG. 34 shows a collector unit of FIG. 21;

FIG. 35 shows a tube connector according to at least one embodiment ofthe application;

FIG. 36 shows an embodiment of an inlet arrangement for the collectiondevice similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 20;

FIG. 37 shows a side inlet box of the inlet arrangement of FIG. 36, andFIGS. 38 and 39 show front and side views thereof;

FIG. 40 shows a lower inlet transition of the inlet arrangement of FIG.36;

FIG. 41 shows an upper inlet transition of the inlet arrangement of FIG.36;

FIG. 42 shows a central inlet box of the inlet arrangement of FIGS. 36,and

FIGS. 43, 44, and 45 show additional views thereof;

FIGS. 46, 47, 48, and 49 show additional views of the upper inlettransition of FIG. 41;

FIG. 50 shows a connecting inlet of the inlet arrangement of FIG. 36;

FIG. 51 shows an extension box of the inlet arrangement of FIG. 36;

FIG. 52 shows an overall view of the dust collection system according toat least one possible embodiment;

FIG. 53 shows an overall view of the dust collection system according toat least one possible embodiment;

FIG. 54 shows an additional view of the dust collection system of FIG.53;

FIG. 55 shows an embodiment of a connector box;

FIG. 56 shows an embodiment of a T-box;

FIG. 57 shows a view of a portion of the dust collection systemincluding the T-box;

FIG. 58 shows a partially-exploded view of a door assembly according toat least one possible embodiment;

FIG. 59 shows another view of the installed door assembly;

FIG. 60 shows a short support table;

FIG. 61 shows a high support table;

FIG. 62 shows a side view of the beginning of the dragon's tail and atrailer outlet suction unit associated therewith;

FIG. 63 shows an embodiment of a dragon's tail spout suction unit;

FIG. 64 shows a dragon's tail return suction unit;

FIG. 65 shows a top view of a T-belt assembly with installed T-beltsuction units;

FIG. 66 shows an embodiment of a T-belt suction unit;

FIG. 67 shows a side view of an elevated dragon's tail and T-beltsuction arrangement;

FIG. 68 shows an end view of the elevated dragon's tail and T-beltsuction arrangement;

FIG. 69 shows a side view of a lowered dragon's tail and T-belt suctionarrangement;

FIG. 70 shows an end view of the lowered dragon's tail and T-beltsuction arrangement;

FIG. 71 shows an embodiment of the blender suction unit;

FIG. 72 shows another embodiment of the blender suction unit;

FIG. 73 shows a view of a T-belt return suction unit;

FIG. 74 shows a vacuum inlet for the T-belt return suction unit; and

FIG. 75 shows an additional overall view of an embodiment of theinstalled dust collection system.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT OR EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a microscopic view of silica dust particles. These silicadust particles can become lodged in the lungs of a person who inhalesthe silica dust. Exposure to silica dust may lead to silicosis, a formof pneumoconiosis. FIGS. 2 and 3 show examples of proppant grains. FIG.5 shows a human lung affected by silicosis. As can be easily seen, thelung is darkened and damaged by the presence of the silica dustparticles.

FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional end view of a portion of the body of aproppant storage device 1 according to at least one embodiment of theapplication. While the storage device 1 is being filled with proppant,the doors 3, which are shown in FIG. 6 as being closed, may be opened toallow air to vent through outlets 4 and to allow workers to monitor thefill level of proppant in the storage device 1. The exiting air and thefeeding of the proppant disturb the proppant, causing the formation ofdust clouds which exit via the outlets 4, regardless of whether thedoors 3 are closed or opened. To minimize or prevent the spread or exitof these dust clouds, a vacuum suction system may be employed. Inoperation, a vacuum dust collection machine is connected via an air ductsystem to collect the dust. In FIG. 6, intake openings 5 are formed inthe sides of the outlets 4. A junction duct 15 is located around theintake opening 5 and connects to a side air duct 7. The flow of airthrough the side air duct 7 can be controlled by a valve 13. The sideair ducts 7 lead to a central air duct 9. The central air duct 9ultimately leads to an exhaust duct 11, which is operatively connectedto a dust collector (not shown). The flow of air therefore proceeds asfollows: air is drawn in through the outlets 4, then through the intakeopenings 5, then through the side air ducts 7, then through the centralair duct 9, and finally through the exhaust duct 11. The side air ducts7, the central air duct 9, and the exhaust duct 11 may be located withinthe frame or body of the storage device 1.

FIG. 7 shows a top view of a portion of the body of the storage device 1according to FIG. 6. As can be seen in this figure, each of the side airducts 7 connects to the central air duct 9, which, in the embodimentshown, extends over the length of the storage device 1 before joiningthe exhaust duct 11 located at the rear of the storage device.

FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of a portion of the body of aproppant storage device 2 according to at least one embodiment of theapplication. The embodiment shown in FIG. 8 differs from that shown inFIG. 6 in that side air ducts 27 proceed outwardly, rather thaninwardly, toward outer air ducts 29, which run along the outer edges ofthe storage device 2 (as shown in FIG. 9). Valves 13 control the flow ofair through the side air ducts 27. The outer air ducts 29 connect to anexhaust duct 21, which is similar to the exhaust duct 11. The exhaustduct 21 also has a small air intake 17 and a large air intake 19, whichcan be connected to a vacuum arrangement used to collect dust producedby the transport of proppant on a conveyor positioned transverse to thelength of the storage device 2, which conveyor is also known as aT-belt. FIG. 9 also shows a walkway 23 which is located on the roof ortop surface of the storage device 2.

FIG. 10 shows a cross-sectional end view of a portion of the body of theproppant storage device according to FIG. 6 with additional features,specifically valves 33, which can be used to allow or block airflow fromthe intake openings 5. FIG. 11 shows a top view of a portion of the bodyof the proppant storage device according to FIG. 10, with the valves 33shown. FIGS. 12 and 13 show cross-sectional views of a portion of theproppant storage device according to FIG. 10, showing the valve 33.

FIG. 14 shows a side view of the body of a proppant storage deviceaccording to at least one embodiment of the application. This embodimentis similar to the one shown in FIG. 6, but in this embodiment there isan upper connecting duct 39 which connects a central duct 9 to anexhaust duct 43. The exhaust duct 43 leads to exhaust ports 35 on thesides thereof. In addition, each of the storage devices has located onthe underside thereof a conveyor 24. In operation, the proppant isreleased through openings in the underside of the storage device andonto the conveyor 24. The conveyor 24 transports the proppant to asecond conveyer 31, which then deposits the proppant onto anotherconveyor, specifically a T-belt. The transport of the proppant on theconveyor 24 can disturb the proppant, especially at the point oftransition from the conveyor 24 to the conveyor 31. A vacuum intake 25is therefore located adjacent this transition point between the twoconveyors 24, 31. The intake 25 is connected via a lower rear connectingduct 41 to the exhaust duct 43, as seen in FIG. 16. Also as seen in FIG.16, the exhaust ducts 43 of multiple storage devices can be connectedtogether to form a single exhaust which leads to the dust collectingdevice. Flexible sleeves 37 are used to connect the exhaust ducts 43.

FIG. 15 shows a side view of a portion of the body of the proppantstorage device according to FIG. 14 with additional features,specifically valves 33.

FIG. 17 shows a side view of a portion of a collection device 51according to at least one embodiment of the application. The dust drawninto the vacuum system from the storage devices 1, 2 and/or the conveyorbelts is ultimately collected in the collection device 51. An air intake45 is connectable to tubes which connect to the storage devices 1, 2,and an air intake 47 is connectable to tubes which connect to airintakes for the T-belt. The collection device 51 houses air filter units49. FIG. 18 shows a rear view of the collection device 51 according toFIG. 17. The air intake 45 is located at the end of a manifold 55, whichis connected to ports 53 which lead into the interior of the collectiondevice 51. Collection devices or dust collection devices which could beutilized or incorporated for use in at least one embodiment of thepresent application are manufactured by EnTech Industries, LLC, 110910th Street NE, East Grand Forks, Minn. 56721. Some examples of suchcollection devices manufactured by EnTech Industries, LLC, are theCyclone 45DC, Cyclone 40DC, Cyclone 30DC, and Cyclone 20DC. The Cyclone45DC has a filter efficiency of 99.8% at 0.5 microns, and has afiltering capacity of 45,000 cubic feet per minute (cfm) at 14 incheswater column (wc), or 14 inches water column gauge (wcg), or 14 incheswater gauge (wg).

FIG. 19 shows a side view of a portion of a collection device 51according to at least one embodiment of the application. The collectiondevice 51 shown in FIG. 19 differs from that shown in FIG. 17 in thatthe manifold 55 is formed by a tube 75 and an articulated duct 61. Theduct 61 is articulated at a hinge 69 and is movable by a hydraulicpiston or arm 59. This movability allows for the upper portion of theduct 61 to be retracted downwardly for storage during the movement ofthe dust collector 51, and then extended upwardly to be connected to thevacuum system upon installation at a hydraulic fracturing site. As shownin FIG. 20, a valve 57 can be opened or closed using a valve handle 65.The tube 75 can be connected using a flexible connecting sleeve 37 to aconnector box 71, which is supported by a connector box table 73. Inthis manner the dust collector 51 can be connected to other tubing whichleads to the air intakes which draw dust from the storage devices andthe areas around the conveyor belts.

FIG. 21 shows a top view of an installed collection system according toat least one embodiment of the application. The collection system isconnected to a series of proppant storage trailers once they have beenpositioned at the well site. The collection system has adaptable orportable doors or door arrangements 101 (see FIG. 22) that are designedto be placed over existing door openings in the storage trailers. Thedoor arrangements 101 are such that an operator can open the door andlook inside the storage trailer to determine the amount of product inthe storage trailer and the amount being taken out of the storagetrailer, while at the same time not interfere with the operation of thecollection system. Each storage trailer requires different numbers ofdoor arrangements 101 depending on sand storage manufacturers. Theproppant dust is removed via flex tubing 103, which can be connected toone or more door arrangements 101 as necessary.

The dust is then carried to manifold arrangements 105 (see FIG. 23). Themanifold arrangements 105 are designed to be placed between andsuspended from the storage trailers once the storage trailers have beenplaced on site. The dust is then carried to connector arrangements 107(FIG. 24). Each connector arrangement 107 is a flexible connector thatallows for the variation in the placement of the sand storage trailers.The number of connector arrangements 107 used depends on the number ofsand storage trailers being used at a well site. Table arrangements 111(FIG. 25) suspend the connector arrangements between the sand storagetrailers so they can be connected to the manifold arrangements 105 via aflexible hose connector.

The dust is then carried to an adjustable, rigid sand/air handling tubearrangement 109 (FIG. 26). The purpose of the adjustable air handlingtube arrangement 109 is to allow for the varying connection distances tothe connector arrangements 107. The dust is then carried to theninety-degree step manifold arrangement 113 (FIG. 27). The ninety-degreestep manifold 113 allows for the making of turns with the air handlingtubes and for the allowance of a right or left hand orientation.

The dust is then carried to the dual-riser manifold arrangement 115(FIG. 28). The dual-riser manifold 115 is a tubing that has rectangularmating flanges that are attached to the tubing for the purpose of matingthe round tubing to the two riser arrangements 117 (FIGS. 29 and 30).The dust is then carried to the dual riser arrangements 117, which aredesigned to take the vacuum from the vacuum source and elevate the airor vacuum to the desired height. The dual riser arrangements 117 alsohave open/close doors built into them with locking devices for controlof airflow. The dust is then finally collected in a dust collector unit125 (FIG. 34).

Another part of the collecting arrangement is collecting dust at thedischarge slides of the sand blender T-belt. This is done by the T-beltmanifold arrangement 119 (FIG. 31). The T-belt manifold arrangement 119pulls the dust at the discharge openings of the T-belt and can be usedin a right or left hand orientation. This manifold arrangement 119 isdesigned to be used on one of two blending units by the manipulation ofbuilt-in open/close door assemblies 120.1 located in each of tubes 120.The dust is then taken from the T-belt manifold arrangement 119 bytubing to the blender feed belt riser arrangement 123 (FIGS. 32 and 33),which takes vacuum from the source and elevates the air to the desiredelevation. This arrangement is designed to be used in either a left orright hand configuration. The blender feed belt riser arrangement 123has an open/close door built into it. The dust from the blender area isalso finally collected in the collector unit 125.

FIG. 35 shows a tube connector 127 according to at least one embodimentof the application. The tube connector 127 is used for connecting largediameter pipe in vacuum applications. The pipes are connected with asteel, plastic, or aluminum alignment insert 110. The connection is thensealed with an elastic water tight sock 108, and finally pulled togetherwith an elastic strap 128.

FIG. 36 shows an embodiment of an inlet arrangement 200 for thecollection device similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 20. The inletarrangement 200 is mounted on the dust collector and connects the dustcollector to the manifolds of the dust collection system to provide thesuction force to the various intakes at the storage devices. The inletarrangement 200 has a connecting inlet 210 which connects to theconnector box 71 or a pipe connected to the connector box 71. Theconnecting inlet 210 is connected to the upper inlet transition 203,either directly as shown in FIG. 36, or by an extension box 280, shownin FIG. 51. The upper inlet transition 203 is connected to the lowerinlet transition 202, which in turn is connected to a pair of side inletboxes 201. The side inlet boxes 201 have valves or flaps therein whichcan be opened and closed to unblock or block the flow of air therethrough and into the dust collector, which valves or flaps can bepivoted or moved via actuators 209. A central inlet box 206 is locatedbetween the side inlet boxes 201. The inlet arrangement 200 is partiallyarticulated between the upper inlet transition 203 and the lower inlettransition 202. To move the upper inlet transition 203, a pair of pistonrods 205 are used. Each piston rod 205 is held in a piston bore 204,each of which is mounted on a mounting bracket 208. The pistons can beextended and retracted such that the upper inlet transition 203, and theconnection inlet 210 connected thereto, can be pivoted upwardly anddownwardly with respect to the lower inlet transition 202, such that theupper inlet transition 203 is folded down and in front of the centralinlet box 206. Support pieces 207 provide stabilizing support to theupper inlet transition 203 when it is folded down. FIG. 37 shows theside inlet box 201, and FIGS. 38 and 39 show front and side viewsthereof. The side inlet box 201 has a generally elongated box shape witha front panel 213, side panels 214, and bottom panel 211, whichelongated box shape can be approximately 24 inches by 48 inches by 12inches. The side inlet box 201 has an upper opening surrounded by aconnecting flange comprising side sections 218 and end sections 212. Theconnecting flange can be approximately 28 inches by 16 inches. The sideinlet box 201 has around inlet opening 216 and a connecting tube 217,each of which has an inner diameter of approximately 20 inches. Theround inlet opening 216 can be three inches long, and the connectingtube 217 can be approximately 18 inches long. Actuator connections ormounting points 215 are also shown. FIG. 40 shows the lower inlettransition 202, which has a generally trapezoidal front panel 221, agenerally trapezoidal rear panel 222 with an upper extension, generallytrapezoidal upper side panels 227, and generally rectangular lower sidepanels 224. The upper opening is surrounded by a support flanges 228 and229, which are designed to contact the upper inlet transition 203. Amounting bar connects the lower inlet transition 202 to the dustcollector. Diverter panels 223 split the flow of air to the two inletboxes 201. Brackets 233 form part of the articulated or pivotingconnection between the lower inlet transition 202 and the upper inlettransition 203.

FIG. 41 shows the upper inlet transition 203, which is generally boxshaped with first panel 242, second panel 243, and side panels 241.Flanges 248, 249 surround the opening which contacts the connectinginlet 210 or the extension box 280. A divider 244 forms two air flowducts or passages. An inner flange 245 and cover flange 246 form part ofthe connection to the lower inlet transition 202. Attached to the coverflange 246 are hinge pieces 247 which connect to the brackets 233 of thelower inlet transition 202 to form the articulated or pivotingconnection which allows the movement of the upper inlet transition 203with respect to the lower inlet transition 202. Mounting structures areused to connect the upper inlet transition 203 to the pistons 105, whichmounting structures comprise a hinge bracket made up of two sides 252,253 and a base 251, and are reinforced by a support piece 250. FIGS. 46,47, 48, and 49 show additional views of the upper inlet transition 203.FIG. 42 shows the central inlet box 206, and FIGS. 43, 44, and 45 showadditional views thereof. The central inlet box 206 has a generally boxshaped frame with side panels 261 and top and bottom panels 262bordering a front panel that has two openings therein. Inlet 265 isconnected to the first opening and short inlet 266 is connected to thesecond opening. Inlet 265 is to be connected to a pipe, which pipe is tobe connected to a suction port adjacent the end of the T belt andblender. Inlet 266 is simply an access port to permit cleaning of theinterior of the central inlet box 206. Flanges 263, 264 surround theback edge of the central inlet box 206. Actuator connections or mountingpoints 270 are also shown. Support brackets 268, 269 are mounted to thetop panel 262 by connecting pieces 267. The support brackets 268, 269support the lower transition inlet 203 thereon. FIG. 50 shows theconnecting inlet 210, which has a lower box shaped portion and an uppertubular portion mounted on the box shaped portion. The box shapedportion connects to the upper inlet transition 203, either directly orvia extension box 280. The box shaped portion comprises front and backpanels 271, side panels 272, and flanges 274, 275. The tubular portioncomprises a tube 273 and cross pieces 276, 277. FIG. 51 shows theextension box 280, which comprises front and back panels 281, sidepanels 282, and flanges 283, 284.

FIG. 52 shows an overall view of the dust collection system according toat least one possible embodiment. As can be seen in FIG. 52, the upperinlet transition 203 connects to the extension box 280, which is in turnconnected to the connecting inlet 210. The connecting inlet 210 iscovered on one end by an end covering 290, while the other end of theconnecting inlet 210 is connected to the rest of the dust collectionsystem. The dust collector 125 is equipped with dispensing augers 285and dispensing tubes 286. FIG. 52 shows the end of the dust collector125, specifically the dispensing augers 285 and dispensing tubes 286. Inoperation, the augers 285 conduct dust out of the dust collector 125,and then drop the dust out through the dispensing tubes 286 into acollection device or container, such as bags.

FIG. 53 shows an overall view of the dust collection system according toat least one possible embodiment. As can be seen in FIG. 53, theproppant storage trailers are elevated off of the ground. The extensionbox 280 is therefore useful in extending the height at which theconnecting inlet 210 can be positioned. The connecting inlet 210 isconnected by a pipe to a connector box 335. The connector box 335 isconnected by connector box hoses 336, which can be 12 inch hoses, to agenerally pipe-shaped manifold 334. In operation, dust travels throughthe jumper hoses 103 and into the manifold 334, then through theconnector box hoses 336, then through the connector box 335, and thenthrough the inlet arrangement 200 to the dust collector 125. Theconnector box 335, in the embodiment shown, has an extension box 337 towhich dragon's tail hoses 338 can be connected. The dragon's tail hoses338 can be connected to any suction port adjacent the dragon's tail,which will be discussed herein below. In the embodiment shown, theopenings in the side inlet boxes 201 are closed by cover hatches 339.

FIG. 54 shows an additional view of the dust collection system of FIG.53. The table arrangement 340 can be clearly seen, on which two of theconnector boxes 335 are supported or mounted. Each of the connectorboxes 335 has a jumper hose connector 341 which permits a jumper hose103 to be directly connected to the connector box 335. In the embodimentshown, the jumper hose connector 341 is covered with a cap or othercovering since it is not in use. The jumper hoses 103 are each connectedto a valve arrangement 342. Each of the valve arrangements 342 isopenable and closable via a valve handle 343 to control flow of airtherethrough. The valve arrangements 342 connect the jumper hoses 103and door assemblies 350. The valve arrangements 342 can either beintegral with the jumper hoses 103, or can be integral with the doorassemblies 350. Alternatively, the valve arrangements 342 could simplybe separate pieces that could be connected to the jumper hoses 103 andthe door assemblies 350 during set up and installation of the dustcollection system.

FIG. 55 shows an embodiment of the connector box 335. As discussedpreviously, the connector box 335 has an extension box 337 thatcomprises an extension box pipe 343, which serves as a connection to thedragon's tail hoses 338. The connector box 335 similarly has connectorbox pipes 344 for connecting to the connector box hoses 336. Theconnector box 335 further has a connecting ring 345 which serves as theconnection to the large pipes, which can be 24-inch pipes. A pair ofmounting sleeves 346 are used to connect or mount the connector box 335onto the table arrangement 340. A lifting eye or tab 347 is located ontop of the connector box 335, to which a crane hook can be connected forlifting the connector box 335. In at least one possible embodiment, theconnector box 335 can be approximately 28″×28″×12″. The extension box337 can be approximately 13 inches long by 8.75″ wide. The connectingring 345 can be approximately 23.75″ in diameter, the connector boxpipes 344 can be approximately 11.75″ in diameter, and the extension boxpipe 343 can be approximately 7 37/64 inches in diameter. Each of thering and/or pipe diameters can be selected or adjusted as necessarydepending on the size of the pipes to be connected to the connector box.

FIG. 56 shows an embodiment of the T-box 300. The T-box 300 has threeconnecting rings 301 to connect to rigid or flexible pipes. The T-box300 also has a support tab 302, to which a guide or support structure,such as a wire, can be connected in order to support a flexible pipesuspended between two proppant storage trailers. The T-box 300 also hasa lifting eye 303. A pair of mounting sleeves 304 are used to mount orconnect the T-box 300 to the table arrangement 340. In at least onepossible embodiment, the three connecting rings 301 can be approximately23.5″ in diameter, and the T-box 300 itself can measure 28″×28″×28″.

FIG. 57 shows a view of a portion of the dust collection systemincluding the T-box 300. The T-box 300 and the connector boxes 335 aremounted on the table arrangement 340 by their respective mountingsleeves 304, 346. An elongated rod or bar is slid through the mountingsleeves 304, 346, and then pins or other affixing structures are used toconnect the T-box 300 and the connector boxes 335 to the rod or bar. Aflexible pipe or hose is connected to the T-box 300, which pipe isextended over to another T-box 300 on another proppant storage trailer.Such an arrangement is useful when proppant storage trailers aredisposed apart from one another on opposite sides of a T-belt.

FIG. 58 shows a partially-exploded view of a door assembly 350 accordingto at least one possible embodiment. The door assembly 350 is placedover existing doors or hatches on a proppant storage trailer. To do so,the hatches are opened and then the door assembly 350 is placed over theopening. The door assembly 350 comprises a lid or door 351, which isjoined to a box-shaped frame 352 by hinge pieces 335, 336. The frame 352has a base cover portion 353 which ensures that the door assembly 350covers the opening in the proppant storage trailer. A handle 354 isconnected to the door 351 to permit opening and closing thereof. Asubstantially trapezoidal vacuum box 357 is connected to the box frame352. An inlet 359 is formed in the box frame 352 to permit flow of airinto the vacuum box 357. A connecting pipe 358 extends from the vacuumbox 357 and serves as a connection to the valve arrangement 342. In atleast one possible embodiment, the door 351 can be approximately18″×18″, the box frame 352 can be approximately 17.25″×17.25″, the basecover 353 can be approximately 19.5″×19.5″, the shorter side of thevacuum box 357 can be approximately 10.75″, and the diameter of theconnecting pipe 358 can be approximately seven and ⅝ inches. FIG. 59shows a view of the installed door assembly. As can be seen in thisfigure, the door assembly 350 is open and the interior of the hatch oropening in the proppant storage trailer can be seen. During filling ofthe proppant storage trailer with proppant, and during emptying of theproppant storage trailer of proppant, proppant dust becomes airborne andis propelled out of the proppant storage trailer via the hatches oropenings. In operation of the dust collection system, the proppant dustis sucked through the inlet 359 and into the dust collection system. Inthis manner, a substantial portion or essentially all of the dust beingpropelled through the openings is collected and prevented from enteringthe atmosphere.

In at least one possible embodiment, the negative pressure generated atthe inlet 359 can be approximately 2 inches of mercury (inHg), which isapproximately 1 pound per square inch (PSI). The negative pressure canbe varied depending on the positive pressure inside the proppant storagetrailer, in addition to other factors. For example, a pneumatic tankerfor filling a proppant storage trailer operates at approximately 1000cubic feet per minute (CFM). The negative pressure generated at theinlet 359 must be sufficient to overcome the positive pressure generatedinside the proppant storage trailer. If only one tanker is filling aproppant storage trailer, the dust collector 125 can be run atsubstantially an idle speed to generate sufficient negative pressure toproduce a vacuum or section force at the inlet 359. If multiple tankers,such as five or six, are filling multiple proppant storage trailerssimultaneously, as can often be the case, the dust collector 125 can berun at substantially three quarters throttle to generate sufficientnegative pressure at multiple inlets 359. In addition, the proppantstorage trailers can be filled at the same time as a hydraulicfracturing operation or a stage, during which proppant is transportedalong the belts to the blender and dust is generated at differentpoints. Therefore, the suction force must be generated at variouslocations in addition to the inlets 359. In such a situation, the dustcollector 125 can be run at full throttle in order to provide sufficientnegative pressure to collect a maximum amount of dust, that is, toreduce the amount of airborne dust to a desired and/or minimized level.According to at least one possible embodiment, the dust collector 125should at least have a filtering capacity of 40,000 cubic feet perminute (cfm) in order to produce the desired or sufficient negativepressure at all suction points. Dust collectors 125 which have a lesserfiltering capacity may not supply negative pressure at all suctionpoints sufficient to capture a desired percentage of dust, that is,sufficient to reduce the amount of airborne dust to a desired and/orminimized level. Such dust collectors 125 with a lesser filteringcapacity may provide sufficient negative pressure at some of the suctionpoints, but not all of the suction points if most or all of the proppantstorage trailers are being filled during the running of a hydraulicfracturing operation or stage.

FIG. 60 shows a short support table 360, which comprises four mountingsleeves 361. In at least one embodiment, the short support table 360 hasoverall dimensions of approximately 92″×33″×42″, although these canobviously be adjusted as needed depending on the installation. FIG. 61shows a high support table 362, which is constructed similarly to theshort support table 360, including mounting sleeves 361. The keydifference between the high support table 362 and the short supporttable 360, aside from the height difference, is the passage 363 definedby the high support table 362. This passage 363 allows workers to easilywalk underneath the high support table 362. Since the support tables360, 362 are located on the end of the proppant storage trailer, theshort support table 360 effectively blocks off the end of the proppantstorage trailer, i.e. no workers walking on the top of the proppantstorage trailer may walk past the short support table 360. However, somedesigns of proppant storage trailers include components located at theend of the proppant storage trailer which must be accessed by theworkers on a regular basis. Accordingly, the short support table 360would not be compatible with such a proppant storage trailer, and thusthe high support table 362 would be used instead so that the workerscould walk underneath the high support table 362 and thereby access thecomponents at the and of the proppant storage trailer. In at least onepossible embodiment, the high support table 362 may have an overalllength of approximately 88 inches, and the passage 363 could beapproximately 32 inches across. Obviously, these dimensions could beadjusted as necessary depending on installation.

The connector boxes 335 can be mounted on the tables using a shortconnecting bar that has a plurality of holes therein. One end of theshort connecting bar is to be inserted into a corresponding mountingsleeve 361 of a support table 360, 362, and a hole in the mountingsleeve 361 can be aligned with one of the holes in the short connectingbar, depending how far the user wishes for the short connecting bar toextend out from the mounting sleeve 361. A connecting pin or similarstructure can then be inserted through the aligned holes to lock theshort connecting bar in the desired position in the mounting sleeve 361.Once all four short connecting bars are installed, the connector boxes335 can then be mounted. Specifically, the mounting sleeves 346 of eachconnector box 335 can be slid over the projecting or extending ends of apair of adjacent short connecting bars. A hole in each of the mountingsleeves 346 can be aligned with a hole in the short connecting bar,depending on the desired positioning of the connector box 335 on theshort connecting bar. The connecting pins 366 can then be inserted intothe aligned holes to lock the connector boxes 335 in the desiredposition. Since the short connecting bar is relatively short in length,it can only be utilized to support the connector boxes 335, and thus isonly useful in situations where only connector boxes 335 are mounted onthe support table 360, 362 without a T-box 300.

When both connector boxes 335 and the T-box 300 are installed on atable, two long connecting bars are utilized that are approximately aslong as or longer than the support table. Each long connecting bar is tobe inserted through a pair of aligned mounting sleeves 361 of thesupport table. Such a long connecting bar extends beyond the mountingsleeves 361 on either end of the support table, and also extends overthe space between the pair of aligned mounting sleeves 361. Duringassembly or installation, the long connecting bar is first inserted intoa mounting sleeve 361 at one end of the support table, then is slidthrough a mounting sleeve 304 of the T-box 300, and then is slid throughanother, aligned mounting sleeve 361 at the other end of the supporttable. This process is then repeated with the other long connecting barsuch that the T-box 300 is supported on the pair of long connectingbars. The ends of the long connecting bars which extend beyond themounting sleeves 361 are utilized to support the connector boxes 335.The mounting sleeves 304 of the T-box 300 can be connected to the longconnecting bar with or without the use of a connecting pin 365.

Many proppant storage trailers include a so-called “dragon's tail” whichextends from the end of the proppant storage trailer. The dragon's tail370 (see FIG. 65) is essentially an extension off of the back of aproppant storage trailer which resembles a tail. During operation of aproppant storage trailer, proppant is dispensed out of a plurality ofdispensers located in the underside of the body of the proppant storagetrailer. A conveyor belt is located beneath these dispensers to receivedispensed proppant thereon. The conveyor belt extends over the length ofthe body of the proppant storage trailer and beyond into the dragon'stail 370. The conveyor belt therefore conveys proppant to the dragon'stail 370, at which point the conveyor belt executes a return movement,and thereby releases the proppant onto the T-belt located below a spoutor outlet of the dragon's tail 370.

Some proppant storage trailers also include a crow's nest, which is anoptional structure that is located on some types of proppant storagetrailers at the end thereof adjacent the dragon's tail 370. Duringoperation of the proppant storage trailer, a worker will stand in thecrow's nest to both monitor and control the feed of proppant. Forproppant storage trailers which include a crow's nest, the high supporttable 362 is necessary so that the workers can walk through the passage363 in the high support table 362 to get to the crow's nest. Incontrast, the short support table 360 would effectively block access tothe crow's nest. When the dragon's tail 370 is not in use or when theproppant storage trailer is being moved from one location to another,such as on the highway, the dragon's tail 370 can be retracted to anessentially vertical orientation.

FIG. 62 shows a side view of the beginning of the dragon's tail 370 anda trailer outlet suction unit 373 associated therewith. The conveyorbelt 372 which conveys the proppant dispensed thereon is also shown. Asthis conveyor belt 372 moves out from under the body of the proppantstorage trailer, proppant dust is caused to flow out the rear 371 of theproppant storage trailer. The trailer outlet suction unit 373 istherefore located at the rear 371 of the proppant storage trailer inorder to suck up the proppant dust at this point. The trailer outletsuction unit 373 is connected by a hose to the rest of the dustcollection system. A bracket is used to hook or hang the trailer outletsuction unit 373 onto the end 371 of the proppant storage trailer. Thetrailer outlet suction unit 373 has a generally trapezoidal housing anda connection port which connects the housing to a hose of the dustcollection system. A lifting handle may be included. The outlet suctionunit has a vacuum inlet, which may be made of expanded metal. When thetrailer outlet suction unit 373 is installed on a proppant storagetrailer, the vacuum inlet is oriented to face the upper side of theconveyor belt 372.

The dragon's tail includes a dragon's tail spout 379, which often has aspout ramp located below the spout 379. In at least one possibleembodiment, a dragon's tail spout suction unit 382 (shown in FIG. 63)may be hung adjacent the spout 379 and above the spout ramp usingsupport chains 386. The dragon's tail spout suction unit 382 is orientedsuch that the side vacuum inlet 383 faces the end of the spout 379, andthe bottom vacuum inlet 384 faces toward the spout ramp and/or theT-belt. Each of these vacuum inlets 383, 384 may be made of expandedmetal. A connection port 385 is used to connect the dragon's tail spoutsuction unit 382 the rest of the dust collection system. In at least onepossible embodiment, the frame of the dragon's tail spout suction unit382 can be approximately 20″×20″×6″, and the connection port can beapproximately 8 inches.

FIG. 64 shows a dragon's tail return suction unit 390. In operation, theconveyor belt 372 executes a return movement at or inside the dragon'stail 370, at which time proppant on the conveyor belt 372 is dumped offof the conveyor belt 372 and out of the dragon's tail spout 379.However, proppant particles and dust still remain on the returningconveyor belt 372, which proppant particles and dust can again becomeairborne by falling off of the returning conveyor belt 372. The dragon'stail return suction unit 390 sucks up this dust coming off of thereturning conveyor belt 372. The dragon's tail return suction unit 390is hung by a bracket from the dragon's tail 370 adjacent the spout 379and directly below the returning conveyor belt 372. The dragon's tailreturn suction unit 390 includes a vacuum inlet 393 that can be formedof expanded metal, and a connection port 392 which is used to connectthe dragon's tail return suction unit 390 to the rest of the dustcollection system. In at least one possible embodiment, the vacuum inlet393 can be approximately 30″×4″, and the frame of the dragon's tailreturn suction 393 can taper in width from approximately 30 inches toapproximately 8.5 inches, and can expand in thickness from approximately4 inches to approximately 8.5 inches.

A plastic sheet or skirt can be connected to a lower portion of aproppant storage trailer. The plastic sheet or skirt substantiallyencloses the lower portion of a proppant storage trailer where proppantis dispensed onto the conveyor belt 372, to thereby minimize oressentially prevent the escape of proppant dust out the sides of theproppant storage trailer. In at least one possible embodiment, theplastic sheet or skirt is used in conjunction with the trailer outletsuction unit 373. To further explain, the plastic sheet or skirt trapsthe proppant dust in the space underneath the proppant storage trailer.The movement of the conveyor belt 372 causes this airborne proppant dustto move or be urged toward the rear 371 of the proppant storage trailer,at which point the trailer outlet suction unit 373 can suck up theproppant dust. In other words, the plastic sheet or skirt can assist inguiding the proppant dust toward the trailer outlet suction unit 373 tofurther minimize the escape of proppant dust into the surroundingenvironment.

Many T-belt assemblies include a splitter or divider which splits thedispensed proppant onto two separate belts, as well as gratings thatfilter the proppant, which gratings can be located above or below thesplitter. FIG. 65 shows a top view of a T-belt assembly 400 withinstalled T-belt suction units 405. In general, the T-belt suction unit405 is used to collect proppant dust generated by the impact of theproppant on the T-belt 130 and/or the splitter and/or the grating. TheT-belt suction units 405 are generally rectangular shaped units that arepositioned above and/or on the grating. In the embodiment shown in FIG.97, the T-belt suction units 405 are positioned on either side of thesplitter 401. As the proppant slides down the sides of the splitter 401and drops onto the T-belt 130 below, the proppant slides or flows past avacuum inlet 408, which can be formed by a sheet of expanded metal bentat a 90° angle. The dust generated by the movement of the proppant issucked up through the vacuum inlet 408. Inner walls or baffles serve toreduce the interior space inside the T-belt suction unit 405 toconcentrate the vacuum force over a smaller area, and thereby increasethe suction power. The inner walls or baffles guide or funnel thecollected dust toward the connection port 409, which can be an 8 inchconnection port. Dragon's tail hoses 338 are connected to the connectionports 409 to thereby connect the T-belt suction units 405 to the rest ofthe dust collection system. Four handles 407 are included for carryingor lifting the T-belt suction unit 405.

FIG. 66 shows an embodiment of the T-belt suction unit 405. In thisembodiment, two of the four handles 407 on top of the T-belt suctionunit 405 used for carrying have been moved to the sides. Also includedare two support pieces 411, which are used to support the T-belt suctionunit 405 on the edge of the T-belt assembly 400, when installed as shownin FIG. 97. In addition, the T-belt suction unit 405 includes a coverextension 412, which is slidably retained in retaining brackets 410. Inthe embodiment shown in FIG. 97, the cover extension 412 can be extendedtowards the splitter in order to reduce the space between the edge ofthe cover extension 412 and the surface of the splitter. By reducingthis space the suction force generated by the T-belt suction unit 405 isincreased. In at least one possible embodiment, the connection port 409is shifted from a central location to a corner of the T-belt suctionunit 413. Accordingly, the inner walls or baffles would be adjustedaccordingly in this embodiment.

As shown in previous figures, the T-belt suction unit 405 and thedragon's tail spout suction unit 387 are connected by hoses to the restof the dust collection system in order to supply a suction force. Sincethese units 387, 405 are located a substantial distance from the rest ofthe dust collection system, such as the connector boxes 335 mounted onthe support tables on top of the proppant storage trailer, dragon's tailhoses 338 must be utilized to connect these units 387, 405. A dragon'stail and T-belt suction arrangement 420 can be used as an alternativeway of connecting the units 387, 405 to the rest of the dust collectionsystem. FIG. 67 shows a side view of an elevated dragon's tail andT-belt suction arrangement 420, which primarily comprises a T-beltmanifold 421, which has a large connection port 422 to connect directlyto the dust collector 125, and a plurality of connection ports 423. TheT-belt manifold 421 has a pair of lifting eyes 434 to permit lifting ofthe T-belt manifold 421 by a crane. In the embodiment shown, a pair ofsupport legs 426 support the T-belt manifold 421 in a position higherthan and/or above the dragon's tails 370. The support legs 426 aremounted in a support bracket 427 located on the T-belt assembly 400, andthe T-belt manifold 421 is connected to the support legs 426 by a highmount bracket 428. The dragon's tail spout suction units 387 areconnected by hoses 424 to corresponding connection ports 423. The T-beltsuction units 405 are connected by hoses 425 to corresponding connectionports 423. By using this embodiment of the dragon's tail and T-beltsuction arrangement 420, lengthy dragon's tail hoses 338 can beeliminated, thereby eliminating a possible trip hazard and reducing thetime required for installation of the dust collection system.

FIG. 68 shows an end view of the elevated dragon's tail and T-beltsuction arrangement 420. A pivot mount 430 is shown at the end of theT-belt assembly 400. The pivot mount 430 allows for the support leg 426to be tilted at an angle and locked into an angled position as desiredin the event that an object or structure is preventing installation ofthe T-belt manifold 421 in the vertical position shown in the figures.Pinholes 429 are also shown, in which locking pins may be inserted tolock the T-belt manifold 421 in place on the support legs 426. A lowmount bracket 431 is also shown, which bracket 431 is utilized in thelowered dragon's tail and T-belt section arranged in 420 shown in FIGS.69 and 70. FIG. 69 shows a side view of the lowered dragon's tail andT-belt suction arrangement 420. In this installation, the dragon's tailand T-belt suction arrangement 420 is flipped over or inverted from theelevated position such that the connection ports 423 are facing awayfrom the T-belt assembly 400. The top surface of the T-belt manifold 421is positioned immediately adjacent or resting on the T-belt assembly400. The low mount bracket 431 is connected to a bolt flange 432 tothereby connect or mount the T-belt manifold 421 on one side of theT-belt assembly 400, as can be seen in FIG. 70. The low mount bracket431 also includes pinholes 431 for locking pins. An extension connection433 within an opening or connection port therein is utilized to connectto the dust collector 125. Any connection ports 423 that are not in useare either capped or plugged. In at least one possible embodiment,instead of connecting directly to the dust collector 125, the T-beltmanifold 421 could be connected to a T-box on one of the proppantstorage trailers.

At the end of the T-belt, proppant is carried by a single conveyor or bydual conveyors upwardly at an angle by a blender feed 440 (FIG. 73). Atthe end of the blender feed 440, the conveyor(s) executes a returnmovement, and thereby dumps the proppant through a blender feed chute442 (FIG. 72) into a blender hopper, in which the proppant is mixed withliquids. A substantial amount of proppant dust is propelled into the airat the blender feed chute 442, and thus a blender suction unit 445 ismounted at the blender feed chute 442. The blender suction unit 445 hasan essentially tubular body 446 with a vacuum inlet 447 formed therein.A support piece, which can be essentially hook-shaped, can be utilizedto hang or suspend the blender suction unit 445 from a chute bar on theblender feed chute 442. D-rings 449 allow for straps or chains tofurther support the blender suction unit 445 on the blender feed chute442. FIG. 71 shows an embodiment of the blender suction unit 445, whichincludes a hood 450 extending from and surrounding the vacuum inlet 447,which can be formed using expanded metal. A plastic hood or sheet can bedraped over the vacuum inlet 447 and the blender hopper in order toincrease the suction force and trap proppant dust. FIG. 72 shows anotherembodiment of the blender suction unit 445, with a blender suction unithose 452 which connects the blender suction unit 445 to the dustcollector 125.

It should be noted that the blender suction unit 445 performs the samefunction as the T-belt manifold 119, but is designed to be used withdifferent blender feeds. To further explain, some manufacturers design ablender feed which is divided into two separate feed chutes which feedinto two separate blender hoppers. Generally, proppant is dispensed froma first feed chute, into one blender hopper, but can alternatively bedispensed from a second feed chute into a second blender hopper,especially if there is an interruption or problem with the operation ofthe first feed chute and/or first blender hopper, or if the firstblender hopper already has a sufficient amount of proppant therein.Accordingly, a dust collection device must be located at each of thefeed chutes. The T-belt manifold 119 includes two vacuum devices whichare connected by a connecting piece in a generally U-shapedconfiguration, and thus one vacuum device is located above each of thetwo feed chutes. Alternatively, some manufacturers design a blender feedwith a single, movable feed chute. When the operator wishes to switchthe feed of proppant from one blender hopper to another, the feed chutecan be swung or moved from a position above a first hopper to a positionabove a second hopper. Since the blender suction unit 445 is mounted onthe feed chute, the blender suction unit 445 moves with the feed chutewhen the feed chute is pivoted between positions above the two hoppers,thereby maintaining suction of proppant dust at the feed chuteregardless of position.

Similarly to the conveyor belt 372 in the dragon's tail 370, the T-belt130 executes a return movement inside the blender feed 440, at whichtime proppant on the T-belt 130 is dumped off of the T-belt 130 and outthrough the blender feed chute 442. However, proppant particles and duststill remain on the returning T-belt 130, which proppant particles anddust can again become airborne by falling off of the returning T-belt130. The T-belt return suction unit 455, shown in FIG. 73, sucks up thisdust coming off of the returning T-belt 130. Like the blender suctionunit 445, the T-belt return suction unit 455 is essentially a tubularpipe 456 with an opening cut therein to form a vacuum inlet. The T-beltreturn suction unit 455 is connected by a T-belt return hose to the dustcollector 125. FIG. 74 shows a possible embodiment of a T-belt returnsuction unit 457. The T-belt return suction unit 457 comprises a vacuuminlet 459 and a connection port 458 for connecting the vacuum inlet 459to a hose. As discussed herein above, regardless of how the proppant isdelivered to the T-belt or similar conveyor, either by a proppantstorage trailer or by a proppant storage device placed on the T-belt orsimilar conveyor, dust is always generated at the dump off into theblender hopper(s) and by the mixing or blending of the proppant, so thevacuum dust collection devices relating to the end of the T-belt and theblender area are necessary to control dust generated there.

FIG. 75 shows an additional overall view of an embodiment of theinstalled dust collection system.

According to at least one possible embodiment, the operation of the dustcollection system could involve the following steps for a workerinstalling, operating, and/or maintaining the dust collection system.The first part of the method is the startup procedure. The operatorfirst performs a complete walk around inspection of the dust collectionsystem, checking that the system is installed properly, and that allpins, keepers, and safety devices are installed properly. Next, allfluid levels on the dust collector and air compressor unit are checked.These fluids include fuel levels, engine oil levels, coolant levels, andhydraulic fluid levels (hydraulic level is on the dust collector only).If any of these levels are not in operating range, damage could occur.When these checks are complete, the engine on the dust collector can bestarted. The operator should make sure that the orange and red lights goout on the display. The dust collector should be allowed to warm up forapproximately five minutes. The clutch on the suction fan is thenengaged, which should be done slowly otherwise damage could occur to thefan clutch. One way to promote safe startup is to use the one fingermethod, which involves the operator placing his or her index finger onthe clutch handle using slight pressure. Once suction fan speed matchesengine RPM, the clutch is forced into the locked position. Finally, bothairline connection valves are opened and then the air compressor isstarted (this will relieve air pressure on the pump and allow the aircompressor to start easier). Once the engine starts, the valves areclosed and the compressor is allowed to warm up for 5 minutes (operatorshould refer to the air compressor manufacturer's recommended startupprocedures).

Once startup is complete, the system is ready to commence dustcollection. To do so, the operator opens the valve on the air compressorthat supplies air to the dust collector. The regulator on the dustcollector should read 90 psi. The air dryer is turned on and all threedrain valves on the water filters are opened slightly. Next, the purgesystem is activated by a switch located under the magnehelic gauge. Thegauge will illuminate green and the dust collector should begin topurge. A final walk around inspection is performed to check for suctionleaks, making sure that caps at the end of aluminum manifolds areinstalled along with caps on unused ports on connector boxes. Theoperator should check that the right, center and left suction doors areopen. If the suction doors are closed, the operator should first checkthat the engine is at an idle before opening the suction doors. To openor close doors there are toggles on the left rear of machine thatoperate air actuated valves. During fracking or sand trailer loading,the dust collector is operated between 1300 and 1900 RPM's, which aredetermined by the amount of suction needed to perform a specific task.During sand trailer or proppant storage trailer filling operations, theoperator should open only valves needed for dust collection, and makesure that valves that are not needed are in the off position (the handleis pointing down). During fracking operations, the operator should checkperiodically that dust collection boxes on the T-belt do not interferewith sand falling from the dragon's tail. When the frack stage iscomplete and sand trailer loading is finished, the dust collector'sfilters can be allowed to purge. This operation should be done at lowidle for more effective filter cleaning. If the magnehelic gauge readsabove 6 during high RPM use, the filtration system needs to be purged.

The dust collector can be emptied only when there is no need for dustcollection. To do so, first turn the purge control off. The greenilluminated light should go out. The suction fan is still engaged andthe dust collector is operated at low idle. At this time the side accessdoors may be opened to determine whether unloading is necessary. Theoperator can inspect the material without removing safety screens. Ifthe collection bin needs to be emptied, the suction fan is disengagedand the air compressor is shut down as discussed herein below. Thevalves on front of the discharge augers are opened. The handles shouldbe perpendicular to the valve body. If the handle is parallel to thevalve body, the valve is closed. A bag is placed under the unloadingauger and then tied to the discharge chute. The operator then walks tothe rear of the dust collector and engages the unloading auger. Thehandle should remain in a detent position for unloading. It is onlypossible to unload one auger at a time. All augers should then beturning. If one or more of the augers are not turning, there is likely ablockage that needs to be addressed before unloading resumes. Augersshould be activated unsupervised. While unloading it is acceptable forthe operator to tap the sides of the dust collector with a rubber malletto help material fall into the auger. Once half of the bin is empty, theappropriate steps of bin unloading should be performed for the otherhalf. The operator should monitor the unloading to be sure that materialis flowing into the bag and not backing up in discharge tube. When thebins are emptied, the augers are disengaged and the discharge chutevalves are closed.

The shutdown procedures may involve the following steps. First, with thesuction fan engaged at an idle speed, the dust collector is brought downto a low idle. The air compressor ignition is turned to the offposition, and excess air pressure is relieved by opening both airlineconnection valves. The suction fan can then be disengaged. A swift blowwith the operator's hand will disengage the clutch. The purge system isthen turned to the off position (illuminated green light will go out).Failure to do these steps will drain the dust collector's battery. Theair dryer is then turned off, and the dust collector ignition is turnedto the off position.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/606,913, filed on Sep. 7, 2012, U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/416,256, filed on Mar. 9, 2012, U.S.Provisional Patent Application 61/451,435, filed Mar. 10, 2011, U.S.Provisional Patent Application 61/590,233, filed Jan. 24, 2012, U.S.Provisional Patent Application 61/601,875, filed Feb. 22, 2012, and U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/786,274, filed Mar. 14, 2013, arehereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entiretyherein.

The components disclosed in the patents, patent applications, patentpublications, and other documents disclosed or incorporated by referenceherein, may possibly be used in possible embodiments of the presentinvention, as well as equivalents thereof.

The purpose of the statements about the technical field is generally toenable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public to determinequickly, from a cursory inspection, the nature of this patentapplication. The description of the technical field is believed, at thetime of the filing of this patent application, to adequately describethe technical field of this patent application. However, the descriptionof the technical field may not be completely applicable to the claims asoriginally filed in this patent application, as amended duringprosecution of this patent application, and as ultimately allowed in anypatent issuing from this patent application. Therefore, any statementsmade relating to the technical field are not intended to limit theclaims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting theclaims in any manner.

The appended drawings in their entirety, including all dimensions,proportions and/or shapes in at least one embodiment of the invention,are accurate and are hereby included by reference into thisspecification.

The background information is believed, at the time of the filing ofthis patent application, to adequately provide background informationfor this patent application. However, the background information may notbe completely applicable to the claims as originally filed in thispatent application, as amended during prosecution of this patentapplication, and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing from thispatent application. Therefore, any statements made relating to thebackground information are not intended to limit the claims in anymanner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in anymanner.

All, or substantially all, of the components and methods of the variousembodiments may be used with at least one embodiment or all of theembodiments, if more than one embodiment is described herein.

The purpose of the statements about the object or objects is generallyto enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public to determinequickly, from a cursory inspection, the nature of this patentapplication. The description of the object or objects is believed, atthe time of the filing of this patent application, to adequatelydescribe the object or objects of this patent application. However, thedescription of the object or objects may not be completely applicable tothe claims as originally filed in this patent application, as amendedduring prosecution of this patent application, and as ultimately allowedin any patent issuing from this patent application. Therefore, anystatements made relating to the object or objects are not intended tolimit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limitingthe claims in any manner.

All of the patents, patent applications, patent publications, and otherdocuments cited herein, and in the Declaration attached hereto, arehereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entiretyherein except for the exceptions indicated herein.

The summary is believed, at the time of the filing of this patentapplication, to adequately summarize this patent application. However,portions or all of the information contained in the summary may not becompletely applicable to the claims as originally filed in this patentapplication, as amended during prosecution of this patent application,and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing from this patentapplication. Therefore, any statements made relating to the summary arenot intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not beinterpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

It will be understood that the examples of patents, patent applications,patent publications, and other documents which are included in thisapplication and which are referred to in paragraphs which state “Someexamples of . . . which may possibly be used in at least one possibleembodiment of the present application . . . ” may possibly not be usedor useable in any one or more embodiments of the application.

The sentence immediately above relates to patents, patent applications,patent publications, and other documents either incorporated byreference or not incorporated by reference.

All of the references and documents cited in any of the patents, patentapplications, patent publications, and other documents cited herein,except for the exceptions indicated herein, are hereby incorporated byreference as if set forth in their entirety herein except for theexceptions indicated herein. All of the patents, patent applications,patent publications, and other documents cited herein, referred to inthe immediately preceding sentence, include all of the patents, patentapplications, patent publications, and other documents cited anywhere inthe present application.

The purpose of incorporating patents, patent applications, patentpublications, and other documents is solely to provide additionalinformation relating to technical features of one or more embodiments,which information may not be completely disclosed in the wording in thepages of this application.

Words relating to the opinions and judgments of the author of allpatents, patent applications, patent publications, and other documentscited herein and not directly relating to the technical details of thedescription of the embodiments therein are not incorporated byreference.

The words all, always, absolutely, consistently, preferably, guarantee,particularly, constantly, ensure, necessarily, immediately, endlessly,avoid, exactly, continually, expediently, ideal, need, must, only,perpetual, precise, perfect, require, requisite, simultaneous, total,unavoidable, and unnecessary, or words substantially equivalent to theabove-mentioned words in this sentence, when not used to describetechnical features of one or more embodiments of the patents, patentapplications, patent publications, and other documents, are notconsidered to be incorporated by reference herein for any of thepatents, patent applications, patent publications, and other documentscited herein.

The description of the embodiment or embodiments is believed, at thetime of the filing of this patent application, to adequately describethe embodiment or embodiments of this patent application. However,portions of the description of the embodiment or embodiments may not becompletely applicable to the claims as originally filed in this patentapplication, as amended during prosecution of this patent application,and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing from this patentapplication. Therefore, any statements made relating to the embodimentor embodiments are not intended to limit the claims in any manner andshould not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

The details in the patents, patent applications, patent publications,and other documents cited herein may be considered to be incorporable,at applicant's option, into the claims during prosecution as furtherlimitations in the claims to patentably distinguish any amended claimsfrom any applied prior art.

The purpose of the title of this patent application is generally toenable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public to determinequickly, from a cursory inspection, the nature of this patentapplication. The title is believed, at the time of the filing of thispatent application, to adequately reflect the general nature of thispatent application. However, the title may not be completely applicableto the technical field, the object or objects, the summary, thedescription of the embodiment or embodiments, and the claims asoriginally filed in this patent application, as amended duringprosecution of this patent application, and as ultimately allowed in anypatent issuing from this patent application. Therefore, the title is notintended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpretedas limiting the claims in any manner.

The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37C.F.R. § 1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b):

-   -   A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the        specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably        following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the        Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent        and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine        quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the        technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for        interpreting the scope of the claims.        Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not        intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be        interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

The embodiments of the invention described herein above in the contextof the preferred embodiments are not to be taken as limiting theembodiments of the invention to all of the provided details thereof,since modifications and variations thereof may be made without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the embodiments of the invention.

1-110. (canceled)
 111. A method of reducing silicosis and/or otherdisease in workers caused and/or exacerbated by inhalation of proppantdust using a proppant-handling arrangement during a hydraulic fracturingoperation, said method comprising the steps of: connecting a conveyorbelt vacuum arrangement to a powered vacuum source; placing an inlet ofsaid conveyor belt vacuum arrangement at or above or close to a point ona conveyor belt where proppant is dropped onto said conveyor belt;dropping proppant onto said conveyor belt at said point and therebydisturbing said proppant and causing proppant dust to move into the air;activating said vacuum source and creating a vacuum within said conveyorbelt vacuum arrangement, and thereby sucking away proppant dustgenerated at said conveyor belt and minimizing movement of proppant dustaway from said conveyor belt; conducting, using vacuum suction, saidproppant dust from said conveyor belt to a proppant-dust-collectingarrangement; collecting said conducted proppant dust in saidproppant-dust-collecting arrangement; moving proppant to a mixer, andthen mixing the proppant with proppant-conducting material to form aproppant mixture; and conducting said proppant mixture into a wellboreduring a hydraulic fracturing operation.
 112. The method according toclaim 111, wherein said method further comprises: connecting a mixervacuum arrangement to a powered vacuum source; placing an inlet of saidmixer vacuum arrangement at or adjacent said mixer to permit vacuumsuction of airborne proppant dust; upon moving proppant to said mixer,disturbing said proppant and causing proppant dust to move into the air;activating said vacuum source and creating a vacuum within said mixervacuum arrangement, and thereby sucking away proppant dust generated atsaid mixer and minimizing movement of proppant dust away from saidmixer; conducting, using vacuum suction, said proppant dust from saidmixer to said proppant-dust-collecting arrangement; and collecting saidproppant dust in said proppant-dust-collecting arrangement.
 113. Themethod according to claim 112, wherein: connecting a proppant storagedevice vacuum arrangement to a powered vacuum source; placing an inletof said proppant storage device vacuum arrangement at or adjacent aproppant storage device to permit vacuum suction of airborne proppantdust; moving proppant to, into, within, or out of said proppant storagedevice and thereby disturbing said proppant and causing proppant dust tomove into the air; activating said vacuum source and creating a vacuumwithin said proppant storage device vacuum arrangement, and therebysucking away proppant dust generated at said proppant storage device andminimizing movement of proppant dust away from said proppant storagedevice; conducting, using vacuum suction, said proppant dust from saidproppant storage device to said proppant-dust-collecting arrangement;and collecting said proppant dust in said proppant-dust-collectingarrangement.
 114. The method according to claim 111, wherein: connectinga proppant storage device vacuum arrangement to a powered vacuum source;placing an inlet of said proppant storage device vacuum arrangement ator adjacent a proppant storage device to permit vacuum suction ofairborne proppant dust; moving proppant to, into, within, or out of saidproppant storage device and thereby disturbing said proppant and causingproppant dust to move into the air; activating said vacuum source andcreating a vacuum within said proppant storage device vacuumarrangement, and thereby sucking away proppant dust generated at saidproppant storage device and minimizing movement of proppant dust awayfrom said proppant storage device; conducting, using vacuum suction,said proppant dust from said proppant storage device to saidproppant-dust-collecting arrangement; and collecting said proppant dustin said proppant-dust-collecting arrangement.
 115. A proppant-handlingarrangement for performing the method according to claim 111 of reducingsilicosis and/or other disease in workers caused and/or exacerbated byinhalation of proppant dust during a hydraulic fracturing operation,said proppant-handling arrangement comprising: a conveyor belt beingconfigured to move proppant thereon; a powered vacuum source; a conveyorbelt vacuum arrangement being connected to said powered vacuum source;said conveyor belt vacuum arrangement comprising an inlet disposed at orabove or close to a point on said conveyor belt where proppant isdropped onto said conveyor belt and proppant dust is moved into the air;a proppant-dust-collecting arrangement being configured to collectproppant dust; a mixer being configured to mix proppant withproppant-conducting material to form a proppant mixture to be conductedinto a wellbore during a hydraulic fracturing operation; and saidpowered vacuum source being configured to be activated to create avacuum within said conveyor belt vacuum arrangement, to thereby suckaway proppant dust generated at said conveyor belt and minimize movementof proppant dust away from said conveyor belt, and thereby conduct saidproppant dust to said proppant-dust-collecting arrangement.
 116. Theproppant-handling arrangement according to claim 115, wherein: saidproppant-handling arrangement comprises a mixer vacuum arrangementconnected to said powered vacuum source; said mixer vacuum arrangementcomprises an inlet disposed at or adjacent said mixer where proppant ismoved into said mixer and proppant dust is moved into the air; and saidpowered vacuum source is configured to be activated to create a vacuumwithin said mixer vacuum arrangement, to thereby suck away proppant dustgenerated at said mixer.
 117. The proppant-handling arrangementaccording to claim 116, wherein: said proppant-handling arrangementcomprises a proppant storage device; said proppant-handling arrangementcomprises a proppant storage device vacuum arrangement connected to saidpowered vacuum source; said proppant storage device vacuum arrangementcomprises an inlet disposed at or adjacent said proppant storage devicewhere proppant is moved to, into, within, or out of said mixer andproppant dust is moved into the air; and said powered vacuum source isconfigured to be activated to create a vacuum within said proppantstorage device vacuum arrangement, to thereby suck away proppant dustgenerated at said proppant storage device.
 118. The proppant-handlingarrangement according to claim 115, wherein: said proppant-handlingarrangement comprises a proppant storage device; said proppant-handlingarrangement comprises a proppant storage device vacuum arrangementconnected to said powered vacuum source; said proppant storage devicevacuum arrangement comprises an inlet disposed at or adjacent saidproppant storage device where proppant is moved to, into, within, or outof said mixer and proppant dust is moved into the air; and said poweredvacuum source is configured to be activated to create a vacuum withinsaid proppant storage device vacuum arrangement, to thereby suck awayproppant dust generated at said proppant storage device.